News
for July 13, 2000

The Sainz doping affair
fizzles

The business involving French sports 'doctor', Bernard Sainz "Dr Mabuse"
made headlines in May last year when it was alleged that he administered
illegal drugs to several of his patients, including Frank Vandenbroucke
and Philippe Gaumont of Cofidis, and Yvon Ledanois (Francaise des Jeux).
The affair led to Cofidis suspending VDB and Gaumont, and a full investigation
was launch into the dealings of Sainz and his business partner, Bertrand
Lavelot, a sports lawyer.

Vandenbroucke and Gaumont claimed that they did not know about any
illegal products, and that the treatments given to them by Sainz were
merely homeopathic treatments. VDB claimed that he was "naive" but not
dishonest in using Sainz as a consultant, but he was impressed at his
results. VDB had a strong first half of the season after he gave up
his usual recovery products and adhered to the methods of Sainz. After
his suspension, he came back quite strongly in the Vuelta although he
was not involved with DR Mabuse' at that time.

Sainz was accused of possessing and administering testosterone and
corticoids after ten used syringes were found in his offices. "Illegal
practice of medicine" was the charge against the horse breeder, and
a search of his office revealed several flasks of brown liquid, suspected
to also contain illegal substances.

The conclusion of the case came last Monday. Analysis of the syringes
revealed that testosterone and corticoids were present, but Sainz claimed
they were used for other reasons. The testosterone was for "personal
use" to increase sexual performance, and the corticoids were for treating
his injured horses. The brown liquid in the flasks contained caffeine,
vegetable extracts and alcohol - not considered to be doping products.
Neither did they contain masking substances after further tests were
carried out. Scientific experts could not determine the origin (human
or animal) of the DNA found on the syringes belonging to Sainz so the
case was shelved.

Somarriba does it again

Overall winner of the women's Giro d'Italia (Giro d'Italia Femminile)
last Sunday, Spaniard Joane Somarriba said that to win this year was
significantly harder than last. Her 1999 victory meant that she was
more heavily marked in this year's race, and was "attacked at every
moment," according to an interview with the Spanish EFE newsagency.

"I gained the Maglia Rosa in the time trial on Sunday (July 2) but
I did not dominate like last year, when everything was decided in one
stage," she said. "The key stage was the time trial because it gave
me the impulse to win. When I arrived at the finish with the best time
and looked at what I'd done, it was a great morale boost."

She added that she rode well in the subsequent mountain stages, in
particular the one to Monte Bondone where she took time out of second
placed Alessandra Cappellotto (Gas Sport team) on the second last day.
She plans now to recover from her efforts, which resulted in a bout
of the 'flu in the final days of the Giro. Next on the agenda is the
women's Thuringen Rundfahrt, in Germany which will be followed by the
Tour de France (La Grand Boucle Feminin) in August. In that race, she
may be helping her Lithuanian Alfa Lum teammate, Edita Pucinskaite (3rd
in the Giro) who is very motivated to win it.

Tour Down Under easier in
2001

The first major international stage race of the year will once again
be the Tour Down Under in South Australia. This UCI class 2.3 event
has been held twice previously, and will run from January 16-21 in 2001.
It starts with a circuit race in Glenelg, finishing 6 days later with
a similar race in Adelaide after a total of 750 kilometres of racing.

The intervening stages have been scaled back a little though, as the
race was considered too challenging for many competitors at such an
early part of the year. Some of the hills have been taken out, although
the most popular ones will be left in.

Race director Mike Turtur will once again be trying to attract some
big names from Europe including the Telekom team with the likes of Erik
Zabel and Steffen Wesemann, winners of stages in this year's event.
Also on his list this time are the US Postal team, who may be looking
to get some quality training in the sun. 1998 winner and runner up in
1999, Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) is of course a major drawcard
for the event, being of South Australian origin, and Turtur will be
keen to line up the 26 year old.

De Bie to coach 'cross team

Former world cyclocross champion, Danny De Bie will be the coach of
the new Belgian cyclocross team, Spaar Select. The team has U23 World
Champion, Bart Wellens, Peter Van Santvliet and Wim de Vos in its ranks.